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U.S. GOVERNMENT 1: Flag-burning Amendment

On June 22, 2005, the House approved a new constitutional amendment that would give Congress the power to ban vandalism of any American flag. For the first time this law also stands a chance to pass in the Senate.

The projected amendment to the Constitution reads, "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

After a heated debate in the House over whether this ban would interfere with the people's right to free speech granted by the First Amendment, the law passed by a 286-130 vote.

Since the required approval of two-thirds of the House of Representatives has been met, the bill has now been passed to the Senate. Many believe it may pass this year because of the Republican majority. If the ban is approved in that chamber by another two-thirds vote, it would then move to the states for approval to become an amendment.

For the Constitution to be amended, proposed amendments must pass in both chambers of Congress with a two-thirds vote and then be approved by at least 38 of the United States within the next seven years.

The Senate will consider the law after the Fourth of July holiday.

--Written by Pota Papakos

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